Daily Life

Baby koala’s new home comes with teddy bears to cuddle

When Imogen the koala stepped into her new habitat for the first time, there were a few friendly faces waiting in and around the trees.

The female joey was raised by keepers at Symbio Wildlife Park, halfway between Sydney and Wollongong, after an adult koala died suddenly and its joey had to live in Imogen's mother's pouch.

She became an internet star after several videos were posted online, including one by surrogate parents Kylie and Matt of her hugging her security blanket, a toy koala, and climbing mischievously around their house.

Now, she's old enough to move out of home to the wildlife park's koala habitat, which is home to around eight others.

But Imogen isn't moving all at once. She'll spend a little bit of time in the habitat each day, before going back with Kylie and Matt at night, until she's comfortable enough to move in full-time.

It's been quite the experience meeting some new friends.

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But the habitat isn't entirely new. Some of Imogen's favourite stuffed toys have been put in the trees, to make her feel at home and ensure she has familiar faces and scents close by.

Another friendly face is keeper Tami, who's happy to lend a helping hand – or arm, or head – to the adopted joey.

With so much to see and do, there's plenty to keep the smile on Imogen's face.

This story was originally published in October 2015.